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Author Topic: Cheapest scalloped neck option  (Read 8349 times)

gwEm

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Cheapest scalloped neck option
« on: May 26, 2010, 02:17:02 PM »
I'd like to experiment with a fully scalloped board, but the Malmsteen strat would be a seriously expensive experiment(!)

Anyone know any cheaper options around?
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

gingataff

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2010, 02:23:25 PM »
I've thought about this myself and the best option I could find was Warmoth.
Try one of their necks on your strat and if you like it buy a new body, if not sell it to me8)
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bucketshred

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2010, 02:28:07 PM »
Failing that, buy an old Fender (or even Squier) neck of t'Bay and scallop it yourself. I know a few people who have done this. It's not the best option but it's probably the cheapest.

Speaking of scalloped boards, they are REALLY weird to play. A friend of mine had a Malmsteen Strat and you do get what feels like more control of the string (for bending and vibrato) on the dusty end of the fret board but chords etc just feel really weird to play. Not to mention that it feels harder to fret the chord (which makes almost no sense).

Not all scallops are the same however. AFAIK The Fender Japan Ritchie Blackmore Strat has scallops which gradually get deeper further down the neck.

Paddy
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Afghan Dave

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2010, 02:30:57 PM »
Guess what I'm gonna say.... Take anything to Feline - his scallops are magnificent.  :)

Maybe just do the 12th or 15th fret up.

« Last Edit: May 26, 2010, 02:32:58 PM by Afghan Dave »
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gingataff

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2010, 02:37:04 PM »
Not all scallops are the same however. AFAIK The Fender Japan Ritchie Blackmore Strat has scallops which gradually get deeper further down the neck.

Paddy
I think you're right about the Blackmore. There is a MIM and MIJ version and I think the MIM has a full scallop and the MIJ is graduated so that the bass side of the fretboard is almost intact.

There's another difference with the Blackmore scallop and the Malmsteen, the latter has the deepest point midway between the frets whereas the former has the deepest point just behind the fret. There you go, now you know :P
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bucketshred

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2010, 02:45:46 PM »
You're right there, I forgot about that!

But I think you are wrong about the depth thing, I'm pretty sure the scallops are shallower at the top end of the neck and get deeper towards the bridge.

Paddy
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gwEm

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2010, 02:51:10 PM »
Not all scallops are the same however. AFAIK The Fender Japan Ritchie Blackmore Strat has scallops which gradually get deeper further down the neck.

Paddy
I think you're right about the Blackmore. There is a MIM and MIJ version and I think the MIM has a full scallop and the MIJ is graduated so that the bass side of the fretboard is almost intact.

There's another difference with the Blackmore scallop and the Malmsteen, the latter has the deepest point midway between the frets whereas the former has the deepest point just behind the fret. There you go, now you know :P

interesting stuff gingataff - the blackmore scallop sounds a bit more usable. but what do i know? ;)
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

gwEm

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2010, 02:52:48 PM »
Guess what I'm gonna say.... Take anything to Feline - his scallops are magnificent.  :)

Maybe just do the 12th or 15th fret up.



i have no idea if i'll like it though - feline standard (on a) cheapie neck may be too much here.  i play most of my leads around the 9th fret.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2010, 03:16:00 PM by gwEm »
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

FELINEGUITARS

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2010, 03:11:37 PM »
gwEm - I have a semi scallopped neck for sale
Remember I upgraded the neck on Frankie as seen here with the old neck


So the neck you see here is available - scalloped from the 13th upwards
It's a little narrow - runs 42mm up to 56mm like a strat and has nice big frets too
£150 ono


Here is Frankie with the new neck
www.felineguitars.com - repairs & custom built
Great fretwork!
Buy your BKPs & Earvana from ME!

gwEm

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2010, 03:24:52 PM »
i'll send you a PM Jonathan..
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

gingataff

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2010, 03:49:27 PM »
You're right there, I forgot about that!

But I think you are wrong about the depth thing, I'm pretty sure the scallops are shallower at the top end of the neck and get deeper towards the bridge.

Paddy
I'm pretty sure that's how Ritchie has it done but his signature/tribute models are a bit different (probably due to time/cost)
Anyway, I've found some pics of the MIM and MIJ Blackmores and it looks like I got them the wrong way round!

Here is the MIM, notice how the treble side of the board is scalloped in the direction of the fret and the bass side is untouched:
http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/goods/goods_detail.php?view=1&count=48&sort=1&fair=256&id=127618



And the MIJ has standard 'Malmsteen' sttle scalloping:
 http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/goods/goods_detail.php?offset=144&view=1&count=48&sort=1&fair=249&id=74738

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bucketshred

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2010, 04:52:41 PM »
Apologies, I stand corrected.

Paddy
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gingataff

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2010, 04:57:43 PM »
No need to apologise.
There are so many variations I just thought I'd share some of the ones I've seen.
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WezV

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2010, 06:14:19 PM »
there is an allparts one for sale here:
http://simnettguitars.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2014.0

PhilKing

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Re: Cheapest scalloped neck option
« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2010, 09:13:16 PM »
I have a Feline scalloped neck and I have to say that it is a superb job.  It is an ebony/flamed maple neck and I have it on a WarmothStrat  swamp ash body with a flamed redwood top.  The pickups are HSS with Holy Diver and 2 trilogies and it sounds great.  The scalloping is not that strange to play because it is after the 12th fret perhaps. 
So many pickups, so little time